For those unfamiliar with the history of the musical, “They Call It Gravy WE Call It SAUCE!” is the brainchild and ‘labor of love’ for New Jersey native and Music Jar Productions CEO Lenny Gatto. A former student of music at Juilliard and a proud Navy veteran, Lenny has woven his many family, personal and world-spanning stories together into a dramatic comedy (dramedy?) spanning three family generations.
This original musical tells the story of the Sicilian American Garraffa family – The patriarch, Dante, matriarch, Gina and their American-born daughter, Rosa, living in New York’s Little Italy during the transformative 1970s… a time of political and social unrest. Yet, in Dante’s mind, this was the best opportunity for his family to prosper in America. Young Rosa is thoroughly disenchanted with the world she has been born into and dreams of a ‘little patch of land’ far from the big city. It is then Rosa meets a handsome, successful young Jewish lad, Aaron… and all her dreams of a better life seem to be coming true; but that sort of thing only happens in fairy tales! Twenty years later, it’s Rosa’s daughter Barbara, who discovers her roots and reunites the family. You will smile, laugh, shed a tear or two and even spark a distant or present memory.
The production will be on the Hamilton Stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway, New Jersey. The opening night gala on Friday night, November 10th includes an after party in the Fazioli Room, a Meet and Greet with the cast, light fare catered by Luciano’s Italian Ristorante and cash bar. Tickets for the 8:00 pm performance are $65.
Performances also take place on Saturday, November 11th with a matinee at 3:00 pm and an evening show at 8:00 pm. Sunday features a matinee at 3:00 pm. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday’s performances are $25. Visit www.musicjarproductions.net to order tickets or call the box office at (732) 499-8226.
